In December 1991 CUTA completed a study of customer perspectives on interior bus design issues based on 16 focus groups conducted across Canada (see STRP #2 (ST 960004). A new complementary study has been carried out to explore industry perspectives on interior bus design issues. Telephone interviews were conducted with equipment managers in 14 Canadian transit systems to determine current patterns in bus interior design requirements for rider accommodation. In addition, staff from 7 U.S. transit systems, and 9 manufacturers, suppliers and experts were consulted. Boarding and movement are served by single large stream doors and narrow aisles. Transit systems tend to maximize the number of seats in a bus with compromises to seat comfort and pedestrian movement in the bus. Accommodation of persons with slight disabilities is widely practised through the use of "easier access" features. Accessibility for all riders will improve through the use of low floor buses. Climate control increasingly includes air conditioning but windows are generally small or otherwise restricted in their ventilation potential. Heating will be even more of an issue for low floor buses, and it remains to be seen if new heating and ventilation systems will overcome customer concerns identified during the focus groups. While bus destination signs are becoming more legible, on-board orientation is limited by the lack of stop announcements and increasing trends towards elimination of rear windows and reduced night-time interior lighting. Cooperation will become even more important to meet the needs of manufacturers, customers, and transit systems. Input from riders and consideration of human factor issues needs to play an increasing role in bus design. The introduction of low floor bus technology will represent a dramatic change that needs to be further analysed. (A)
Samenvatting